Members of our Wearable, Interactive and Mobile Technologies Access Centre in Health (WIMTACH) attended the third World Non-Communicable Diseases Congress (WNCD 2023) held on June 25-30th, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Downtown Toronto.
The opening plenary lecture was by Sir George Alleyne, who advised the global scientific community and systems to keep agitating, keep communication channels open, and to fight non-communicable diseases (NDCs) - such as cancer, diabetes, mental illnesses, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases - as they are one of the biggest drivers of poverty. This was followed by Dr. Bente Mikkelsen from World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, who laid out the plans of the WHO and offered tools to help mitigate non-communicable diseases. Overall, there were 17 plenary lectures by thought-leaders worldwide in the areas of:
- Reducing inequalities
- Impact of climate change on NCDs
- Infodemics and systemic science approaches
- Impact of NCDs across lifespan
- Reducing the burden of NCDs across diseases, determinants and disciplines
- Governance, multi-lateral collaborations, research translation and healthcare systems.
This crème de la crème of speakers was from all 6 continents. They put together different pieces of the puzzle to provide solutions to equitable and sustainable health for all.
The concurrent breakout sessions drilled down the details under each theme to elucidate public health understanding, community participation, application of technology, health systems, health services, and more. In addition, there were 120 poster presentations.
Overall, 365 presentations were delivered during this Congress, ranging from pre-congress through plenaries, concurrent platforms, and posters. 455 delegates from 55 countries attended the Congress to prevent and control NCDs through knowledge sharing, knowledge dissemination and networking.
Sessions covered a diverse range of topics presented by experts in the field, including the obesity pandemic, challenges with the rapidly-aging population, caner research, healthy eating, behavioural sciences, health misinformation, equity in healthcare, smart cities for NCD prevention and management, the effect of climate change on health, models for rural public health, NCDs in indigenous communities, NCDs as a driver of poverty, and more. There were many learning opportunities about indigenous perspectives of non-communicable diseases, as major indigenous research groups working in NCD research were also present.
Control and Prediction of Non-Communicable Diseases: Session Chaired by Dr. Purnima Tyagi
On June 28th, Dr. Purnima Tyagi, Director, WIMTACH, Data Analytics and Digital Health Technologies, facilitated a compelling session on new technologies for NCD control and prediction. She emphasized the indispensable role of technologies in tackling NCDs, such as enabling early detection and diagnosis, monitoring real-time data, assessing individual- and population-level risk factors, and guiding policymakers towards efficient, data-driven decisions.
The session then delved further into instrumental inventions and innovations revolutionizing the control and management of NCDs, such as vaccines helping to prevent fatal diseases like hepatitis B and HPV-related cancers; imaging technologies transforming NCD diagnosis and staging; telemedicine and targeted therapies; mobile health applications; wearable devices for NCD management; genomic research for personalized prevention and treatment; and electronic health records and health information systems improved coordination.
A lineup of global experts was also featured in the session as panelists. Jeziel Vidad, Project Manager at WIMTACH, and Ian Lilley, Research Lead at WIMTACH also presented and showcased technologies developed at WIMTACH for NCD prediction and control. All in all, the session explored the intersection between technology and innovation, providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in medical technologies and their applications in managing NCDs.
WIMTACH also set up an engaging exhibition booth, where they showcased their cutting-edge AI-enabled medical technologies, prototypes, and digital health solutions designed specifically for NCD management. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with WIMTACH's experts, explore the innovative technologies on display, and gain valuable insights into the future of AI-driven healthcare.
In addition, WIMTACH actively participated in networking activities, fostering collaborations and partnerships with global stakeholders, policymakers, and industry representatives. These collaborations aim to drive collective action and implement transformative solutions to address the growing burden of NCDs. WIMTACH has received many national and international collaboration requests, and Centennial College emerged as a leading college in Canada. Dr. Purnima Tyagi is also a part of the Scientific Committee as well as the National Committee of the Congress.
The WNCD 2023 served as a platform for global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in the field of NCDs. Through its diverse attendees, impactful themes, and contributions from organizations like WIMTACH, the Congress reinforced the urgent need for concerted efforts to reduce inequalities, understand environmental influences, adapt to a changing world, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and leverage technological advancements. The shared commitment of the participants highlighted the collective determination to create a future where NCDs are better controlled and prevented, ensuring a healthier world for all.